Plant Breeder sought by Lark Seeds International in Woodland, CA.

Duties:

• Research and implement optimal seed characteristics to produce the best quality and desirable traits for Lark Seeds International products.
• Apply biotechnology and molecular breeding strategies to improve overall function of various plant and crop systems.
• Research innovative methods and techniques for plant breeding with the goal of improving existing crop varieties’ appearance and disease resistance while increasing yields to meet consumer needs.
• Develop and manage a breeding program schedule and all associated activities to achieve the program objectives.
• Develop and manage a wide array of field trials, plant physiology studies, and glasshouse trials.
• Coordinate with suppliers, applicators, and consultant agronomy laboratories.
• Establish research aims and objectives.
• Be the technical contact for marketers, end-users, relevant authorities, and institutions.
• Oversee all aspects of research, such as trial establishment, seed shipment, seed inventory, hybrid evaluation, and seed harvest.
• Identify and select plants exhibiting desirable traits, based on natural genetic variation.
• Cross plants to produce new breeding material for field and glasshouse trials.
• Analyze crop test results and prepare progress reports for internal and external distribution.
• Document field evaluations of seed, chemical, fertilizer, and other specialty products.
• Undertake manual operations required for the support of the production of seeds and/or crops, as necessary.
• Develop a plant breeding team and its succession plan.
• Support and training technical and field staff.
• Advise management regarding the development of the agronomic budget and cost monitoring.
• Research and utilize new technologies such as the Global Positioning System.

Requirements:

Master’s degree, or equivalent, in Agriculture, Agricultural Biotechnology, Biosystems Engineering, or related field plus two (2) years of Agricultural research and development, horticultural project management, or related experience:

• planning and managing breeding strategies;
• developing crop strategies and product profiles in cooperation with market segments teams;
• developing and deploying new breeding technologies and methodologies;
• examining and researching global markets for product needs;
• analyzing breeding data and implementing the data into the breeding programs;
• building, preparing, and executing yield and development trial experiments;
• researching and recommending input on hybrid development decisions to ensure appropriate selection of new products;
• collecting and documenting data and field notes on agronomic traits of inbred and hybrid materials;
• and communicating with the commercial team regarding the agronomical performance of the products.

Salary: $110,625/year

To Apply:

Send resume to:

Vassilis Aivazis
President & CEO
Lark Seeds International
115 W. California Blvd., Suite 197
Pasadena, CA 91105

or email info@larkseeds.com